Mall Shopping
Two friends discuss mall shopping. The Grammar in focus is on Conditionals and Modals.
Suzy: “Let’s go to the mall.”
Darlene: “What for? Do you want to shop or to eat?”
Suzy: “Maybe both. Maybe we can get ice cream first.“
Darlene: “That sounds like a great idea.”
Suzy: “Do you like chocolate?”
Darlene: “Is the Pope Catholic? Of course I do.”
Suzy: “That place near the entrance has lots of flavors. We can choose a different flavor if we
want.”
Darlene: “Chocolate is my favorite. Sometimes I like vanilla, though.”
Suzy: “I like banana flavors too.”
Darlene: “I’ve never tried that.”
Suzy: “Where do you want to go afterwards?”
Darlene: “I need to shop for shoes. But I want to look at T-shirts and sweaters too.”
Suzy: “I need a new pair of jeans.”
Darlene: “That will cost you.”
Suzy: “I know, but I can’t put it off any longer. I have to buy something today.”
Darlene: “I’ll get shoes while you are trying on jeans.”
Suzy: “Sounds good.”
VOCABULARY WITH IDIOMS
Shop for means to look for a specific item while shopping. See online Dictionary.
Put off means to delay or postpone. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Try on means to test the fit or look of a garment by putting it on. See online Idioms Dictionary.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Suggested Topic for Comments: Modals
“Maybe we can get ice cream first.” The modal “can” precedes the verb “get” without an intervening “to,” which sometimes confuses students. Thus *”We can to get ice cream” is wrong. The meaning of this modal is in logical probability or in social interaction. Here its meaning (re: probability) is potential force, which can also be seen in its phrasal modal counterpart “to be able to.”
INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED DIALOGUE
New Idioms are “Bring up” and “Make a beeline for.” The Grammar focus is on a Hypothetical Conditional.
Suzy: “Let’s grab something to eat before we go to Macy’s.”
Darlene: “Then we won’t fit in the clothes we try on.”
Suzy: “That’s funny, but I just want some gloves anyway. Maybe some makeup, I don’t know.”
Darlene: “But what if you see something you like, but can’t try it on because you’re full of pizza?”
Suzy: “You’re right. We can eat afterwards.”
Darlene: “Sorry I brought it up.”
Suzy: “No, I’m okay. Not that hungry. If you hadn’t mentioned it, we’d probably stuff ourselves silly with something not good for us.”
Darlene: “Actually, the more we talk about it, the hungrier I get.”
Suzy: “I’m making a beeline for Macy’s. You can dream about pizza if you want.”
Darlene: “I was thinking about chocolate ice cream.”
Suzy: “That sounds pretty good, now that you mention it.”
Darlene: “Cake is not out of the question, however.”
Suzy: “No, it isn’t!”
VOCABULARY WITH IDIOMS
Bring up here means to mention or introduce into discussion. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Make a beeline for means go directly to, head straight toward. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Out of the question means not allowed, not permitted. See online Idioms Dictionary.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Suggested Topic for Comments: Conditionals
“If you hadn’t mentioned it, we’d probably stuff ourselves silly.” This is a typical hypothetical conditional with initial if-clause and auxiliary had (hadn’t). The initial if can be deleted, but when that happens, subject/operator inversion must follow: “Had you not mentioned it, we’d probably stuff ourselves silly.” But these conditionals with subject/operator inversion are rare in conversation. They occur most frequently in academic prose.
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